…Residents plan mass sit in demonstration over poor service
Tinaani Nyabereka/ Yeukai Munetsi
Gweru- Residents have sought police clearance to conduct a mass sit-in demonstration as service provision continues to deteriorate in the Midlands capital.
According to a letter written by three residents associations namely, Gweru United Progressive Residents and Ratepayers Development Association (GUPRARDA) Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) and Gweru Residents Association (GRA) dated October 11, the mass action is set for (Monday) October 17, 2022.
The development comes as council has reportedly refused to address a number of issues affecting the city.
Some of the cited service delivery challenges are the on-going property seizure by council, estimates of bills and unrealistic water bills, the unprocedural implementation of the rebasing of 2022 budget and suspected contaminated water and outbreak of water borne diseases among other issues.
“Despite several attempts by resident associations collectively to have several service delivery issues addressed, council refused to attend to our concerns. The concerns are representative of the challenges that council is not addressing city wide, thus affecting the wellbeing of residents.
“Therefore it is with a heavy heart that residents of Gweru have asked us to engage your esteemed office after ward consultations, to notify you of the planned (sit in) to be held at town house offices in Gweru.
“Residents sincerely hope that the planned mass action will force council to address their plight with immediate action” read part of the letter signed by GUPRARDA director David Chikore, GRRA director Cornelia Selipiwe and GRA director Taurai Mukarati.
Of late Gweru has been facing a host of challenges from different angles among them inconsistent refuse collection prompting the Mayor Hamutendi Kombayi to mull use of scotch carts, ever flowing sewerage in sections of Mutapa suburb as well as erratic water supplies due to old water infrastructure.
…Gweru council quivers over planned service delivery demo
Tinaani Nyabereka
The Gweru City Council has called to the table residents in a move to persuade them to stop the planned mass (sit-in) action demo.
The meeting was called on October 12, 2022 by the Acting Town Clerk Douglas Chikwekwe as a matter of urgency.
Chikwekwe however pleaded with residents to grant the local authority at least seven days, up to next week (Thursday) October 20 to come up with solutions.
“As council, we call upon you as residents to give us a grace period of up to seven days so that we can try to come up solutions to the challenges you presented,” said Chikwekwe.
The planned demo which had been set for (Monday) 17 October 2022 at Gweru Town Council Offices was aimed at addressing various service delivery issues affecting the city.
Representatives from the residents associations, Women, Media, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and youth attended the meeting.
